5,271,009

14 December 2016

We really meant to have a special celebration when the SF
Encyclopedia word count reached the semi-magic figure of
5,271,009, but inevitably the total went straight from Less Than
That to (Slightly) More Than That during our 7 December update. The
number, often used by such sf pundits as Patrick Nielsen Hayden and David
Langford to signify the subtle
concept "ever so many" or "lots", is the title of Alfred Bester's cover story for the March
1954 issue of F&SF -- see below. Also
known as "The Starcomber", this wittily sends up numerous sf Clichés born of adolescent
wish-fulfilment. Meanwhile we wish all our readers a Merry
Christmas or other seasonal festivity of your choice ...

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